Group chats can get noisy, cluttered, or simply unnecessary over time. Whether you’re trying to clean up your Messages app, stop unwanted notifications, or permanently remove a conversation, the steps you follow depend on what type of group chat you’re in.
This guide explains how to delete iMessage group chats, SMS/MMS group chats, how to block or leave, and how to permanently erase messages on your iPhone running iOS 26 or later.
Understanding Group Chat Types on iPhone
| Group Type | Bubble Color | Can You Leave? | Can You Block? | Best Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| iMessage Group | Blue | Yes (if 4+ members) | Not needed | Leave → Delete |
| SMS/MMS Group | Green | No | Yes (iOS 17+) | Delete & Block |
| WhatsApp / Messenger | N/A | Yes | Yes | Leave → Delete |
How to Delete a Group Chat on iPhone
The process changes depending on whether the group is iMessage (blue) or SMS/MMS (green).
For iMessage Group Chats (Blue Bubbles)
You can leave an iMessage group chat if:
- All members use iPhones
- There are at least 4 total participants
No one gets notified when you leave.
Steps
- Open the Messages app and tap the group conversation.
- Tap the group icons or group name at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Leave This Conversation.
- Tap Leave This Conversation again to confirm.
- Go back to the main Messages list.
- Swipe left on the conversation and tap the trash can icon to delete it from your device.
For SMS/MMS Group Chats (Green Bubbles)
SMS/MMS groups include Android users, and iMessage features do not apply.
You cannot leave these groups the same way.
Starting in iOS 17 and later, Apple added a new option:
Steps (iOS 17+)
- Open the Messages app and select the group conversation.
- Tap the group icons or names at the top.
- Scroll down and tap Delete and Block This Conversation.
- Confirm when prompted.
This blocks the group and removes it from your phone.
If You Don’t Have iOS 17 or Later
Your options are limited:
- Go to the Messages list.
- Swipe left on the conversation.
- Tap the trash can icon to delete the thread.
Note:
If someone sends another message, the group will reappear.
Tip: Hide Alerts Instead
If you don’t want notifications:
- Swipe left on the chat
- Tap the bell icon to enable Hide Alerts
This silences the group without deleting it.
How to Permanently Delete a Group Chat
When you delete a conversation, it moves to Recently Deleted, similar to Photos.
Steps:
- In the Messages main screen, tap Filters (top left).
- Select Recently Deleted.
- Tap the conversation you want to erase.
- Tap Delete at the bottom.
- Confirm the deletion.
The conversation is now permanently removed from your iPhone.
Group Chat Deletion in Other Apps
For WhatsApp
- Open the group chat.
- Tap the group name.
- Scroll down and tap Exit Group.
- After exiting, tap Delete Group to remove it from your chat list.
For Facebook Messenger
- Tap the group name → Leave Chat
- If you’re an admin: remove all members → delete the group
Final Tips for U.S. Users
- iMessage groups are much easier to leave and delete than SMS/MMS groups.
- SMS/MMS groups may reappear unless you block them.
- Always check whether you are in a blue or green bubble group before following the steps.
- Deleting a conversation does not remove it from other members’ phones.
- If you’re cleaning up storage, remember to clear Recently Deleted.
